travel through south america..need your tips!

Hey everybody!

First off I'm Stefano and I just landed on this forum a couple weeks ago so...just wanted to say hello)

Ok I am going to a solo backpacking tour of south America in a month and I have no plans except a couple of friends in some places that I am gonna visit. I have to time limits whatsoever. I've been working in hostels around Europe for years now and I'm lookin to do the same once I am there..now I need your advices, you bacpackers, locals and hostels workers!
Are there some places where its easier to find a hostel job there? Some great hostels I shouldn't miss, even just for the experience? Has anybody being traveling and working (or volunteering) in some places really worth seeing? Is some hostel manager/owner out there interest in a 24 guy with hostel experience?

just bring it on guys want your south american-hostel related stories!

...as you could tell by all the exclamation points I am quite excited about this trip)

stefano